Jenny Rose

Claire Breslinsky Mystery #4

by Mary Anne Kelly

When Claire Breslinsky's Aunt Dierdre dies, it's Claire who represents the American relatives at the funeral. The fact that Temple Fortune, her fantasy lover, lives not far from Bally Cashin is something Claire tries very hard not to think about, although a glimpse of her husband in amorous conversation with another woman hardly strengthens her resolve.But dreams of Temple Fortune fade when Claire learns from her mother that her older sister had given birth in Ireland to a girl who was then left with Dierdre to raise. Jenny Rose, now 17, is a charmingly wild young woman and a talented artist.

The intense family relationships, the beauty of the countryside, Jenny Rose's paintings enchant Claire. And of course she encounters Temple and is tempted, even while realizing that Temple's temptations are limited by his own self-concern. It's chaos, but such enjoyable chaos that we are delighted to share it with Claire in this radiant book about a woman transplanted from "real life, " if only for a while.

322 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

Mary Anne Kelly is a former model and lyricist who later turned to writing. Her acclaimed novels follow Claire Breslinsky, an acclaimed photographer from Queens, New York. Kelly also calls Queens home.

Reviews

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a traditional mystery in the sense that Claire is not on a mission to solve a death. But there are plenty of family secrets to emerge. Set in Ireland, and it seemed very Irish to me, tho I am only an American.